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History of Virginia's 4-H Camping Program: a Case Study on Events Leading to the Development of the 4-H Educational Centers

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History of Virginia's 4-H Camping Program: a Case Study on Events Leading to the Development of the 4-H Educational Centers HISTORY OF VIRGINIA'S 4-H CAMPING PROGRAM: A CASE STUDY ON EVENTS LEADING TO THE DEVELOPMENT OF THE 4-H EDUCATIONAL CENTERS by Robert Ray Meadows Dissertation Submitted to the Faculty of the Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the degree of Doctor of Education in Educational Administration APPROVED: Steve Parson, Co-Chair Thomas C. Hunt, Co-Chair Robert Richards Roy S. Jones Wayne Worner March 21, 1995 Blacksburg, Virginia Key Words: 4-H, Camping, Cooperative Extension, Virginia, 4-H Educational Centers History of Virginia's 4-H Camping Program: A Case Study on Events Leading to the Development Of The 4-H Educational Centers by Robert Ray Meadows Committee Chairpersons: Steve Parson and Thomas C. Hunt Education Administration (ABSTRACT) Residential camping has long been used as a tool to reach and teach educational concepts to youth. Since the founding of the first organized residential camp in 1823 at Round Hill School's Summer Camp in Massachusetts, private and public organizations have used camping as a means to teach youth their respective missions and goals. Although a relative newcomer in the camping business when compared to other agencies and groups, 4-H has been involved in camping since the first county camp was conducted in 1915. Virginia has long been in the business of 4-H camping, reaching thousands of youth throughout the years on an annual basis. Now, ranked third nationally in total numbers of youth attending 4-H camping on an annual basis, the 4-H mission "...assisting youth, and adults working with those youth, to gain additional knowledge, life skills, and attitudes that further their development as self-directing, contributing, and productive members of society" continues to be carried out through the residential camping program. The purpose of this dissertation is to describe, record and analyze the concept that provided the foundation for the Virginia 4-H camping program becoming a reality of the 4-H educational centers. It includes the early history of the camping movement in the United States, the beginnings ii of the 4-H club program in the United States and Virginia, and 4-H involvement in reaching and involving youth audiences through camping programs. The population for this study consisted of early pioneers in the 4-H camping program representing Virginia Cooperative Extension administrators and extension agents, camp staffs, and campers from both white and African-American camping programs, as separate 4-H camping programs were conducted. A systematic document research and structured interviews of the early pioneers was conducted to reach defensible conclusions about the establishment, operation, and purpose of the 4- H camping movement in Virginia. The outcomes of this study are fourfold. First, the study serves to document the organized camping movement in the United States and the beginnings of 4-H. Second, the study explores the early beginnings of the 4-H camping movement in the country with the national 4-H camping movement. Third, the study examined the persons, events, founding and early development of the 4-H camping program in Virginia, including the separate white and African-American camping programs for Whites and African-Americans. Fourth, the study documented the history of Virginia's six 4-H educational centers. The study endeavors to contribute to the body of knowledge concerning the history of the 4-H movement in Virginia. iii Dedication To God and His unfailing love for me. My faith in His leading in my life has made me a better person, one who is more concerned about his fellow man. God sustains me at all times. His love for me helps me to live each day, no matter what the circumstances. Through faith in my Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ, I am greatly blessed to claim I John 5: 12-13. To my wife Connie, the most important person in my life on this earth. I am thankful for your love, support, and belief in me that this project could be accomplished. You, and our two daughters, Megan and Heidi, paid a high price by sacrificing time and quality experiences that were put on hold while I worked on the study. For this high price you paid, I love you all the more. No one could have a better family support group. To my parents, Robert and June, and the upbringing that you provided me. I am proud of my Appalachian culture and heritage, and value greatly the example you set for me with your hard work, appreciation for people of all races, and support of my endea- vors. Without your help and example, I would not be what I am today. You taught me what is important in life. It is great to have Christian parents, ones who walk the talk. iv Acknowledgements There are so many people who have helped me in the pursuit of this degree, ones who have provided words of encouragement, expressions of support, and sticking by me when all seemed impossible. There are so many to thank, and I sincerely appreciate these important people who have left their footprints on my life. Bob Richards started with me as Chair of my committee. Through his encouragement and leadership, he encouraged me not to give up when life seem too frustrating to continue. I will ever be grateful for his patience and belief in my ability to complete the task. Dr. Parson stood behind me through thick and thin. I am grateful for your support and for the fact that you never gave up on me. Thank you for sticking with me to the end. I am also appreciative of the other committee members, Dr. Tom Hunt, Dr. Wayne Worner, and Dr. Roy Jones. I am a better person as a result of your professionalism and support for me. Dr. Hunt's love for history has been an inspiration to me in this endeavor. I am thankful for the faith and encouragement that my co-workers in Cooperative Extension displayed throughout this long process. I could not have asked for better co-workers. I greatly appreciate the generous attitude and cooperation displayed by the library staff at Hampton University, and at Virginia Tech. The numerous people who volunteered to be inter- viewed not only provided valuable information in completing this study, but aided in my encouragement and inspiration to continue. Lastly, the researcher must thank the Virginia Cooperative Extension System for its support of the researcher by helping to underwrite tuition costs at Virginia Tech, and for encouragement to complete the degree. The insistence on continued professional development has been a major influence in the life of the researcher. v Table of Contents Page Abstract..................................................................................................................... ii Dedication................................................................................................................. iv Acknowledgement.................................................................................................... v Chapter I. INTRODUCTION....................................................................................... 1 Purpose of the Study................................................................................ 3 Research Questions................................................................................... 3 Need for the Study..................................................................................... 4 Definitions of Terms.................................................................................. 6 Limitations of the Study............................................................................ 7 Methodology.............................................................................................. 8 Organization of the Study......................................................................... 8 II. THE EMERGENCE OF THE CAMPING MOVEMENT IN THE UNITED STATES............................................................................. 10 Historical Foundations Nationally: Organized Camping Movement..................................................................................... 10 Historical Foundations Nationally: Institution Camping.......................... 17 Historical Foundations Nationally: 4-H Clubs and Program................... 20 Historical Foundations Nationally: Separation of Whites and African Americans in 4-H......................................................................... 23 Historical Foundations of the 4-H Camping Program.............................. 25 Chapter Summary..................................................................................... 26 III. 4-H IN VIRGINIA................................................................................... 29 Historical Foundations in Virginia: Separate Education for African Americans and Whites.................................................................. 30 -Life for Rural African American Children -- Early 1900's....................... 30 vi -Unequal Educational Opportunities -- Whites and African Americans........................................................................ 31 -Factions of African American Community.............................................. 32 -Importance of Education -- African Americans....................................... 33 Historical Foundations in Virginia: 4-H Clubs and Program.................. 34 -General Education Board of New York................................................... 34 -Smith Lever Act, 1914............................................................................. 35 -Morrill Acts of 1862 and 1890..............................................................
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